The Press., 1887-03-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.


 At last the president has completed what he has called the most difficult task yet en- countered by him, namely the construction of the Inter State Commerce Commission After six weeks consideration he announced the list of names on Tuesday, and slnce then the composition of the new national court has been the chief subject of cJm- ment here.
 There was considerable disappointment among the democrats that the name of republican shonld head the list for the longest term and Col. Morrison should be given the second place. It would have been hard, however, perhaps imp esible, to find a jurist whose Knowledge of railroad law surpasses Judge Cooley's. He has been counsel for some of the le lding com. pauit 8, and on the bench always refused to be moved by popular clamor against the carrying corporations at time when more flexible magistrates were bending more Ur less to the expressed preiudices of the vol ing masses.
 The five lawyers of which the commis. sion consists represent the states of NJ chi gan, Illinois, New York, Alabama aud Yer mont. Three of them are democrats as a matter of course, namely, Messrs, Mor rison, Bragg and Schoonmaker, while Judge Cooley and Mir. Walker make the republi- can minority. The latter studied law in the office of Senator Edmunds of Vermont. and is endorsed by him as a man of extra ordinary ability, fine scholar, of literary attainments, industrious, honest and strong in every respect.
 Representlve Heard of Missouri, cam- menting upon the commission, remarked that the fact that Senator Edmunds had recommended one of the members was an element of strength "for" continued he, '.the senator would not take the responsi- bility of such m appointment unless he had the right man for the place." When Senator Edmunds was questioned as to his action in fhe matter, he is quoted us saying "Idonotrecommend anybody. Isometimes | give testimony as to the fitness of people for public duties, but don't recommend. :" It is thought that the new commission will organize in this city about the middle of next week. Its members are personally unknown to each other. Four of them were at their homes when their appoint ments were Announced, MT. Morrison be- ing the only one in Washington. Two of them were taken wholly by surprise and will have to wind up their affairs. The new law goes into effect however by the 4th of April, and the commission Can make no delay in preparation for business. | Practically the capital will have new government department. The effect of the law upon this city will be more pronounced 1 than that of any that has been enacted in recent years. A large and important bu. reau will have to be rapidly organized. Thousands of communications, queries, complaints, etc, are ready to pour in on the commission whenever 1t is ready to re. ceive them. A gentleman we'll qualified to know recently told the president that O houseful of such documents was ready for mailing.
 Besides adding another extensive bureau to the city of federal offices, the new law will bring to Washington legal and other representatives of almost every railroad in the United States, and thousands of per sons interested iu questions brought be. fore the commission.
 Secretary Lamar is called upon to fur nish suitable accommodations, immediate ly, for the commission. There will be a sum of about $50. 900 to be expended for clerical and official force which IS to be ex- pended in such manner, at such rates and for such duties as the commission sees fit, but subject in every case to the approval of the secretary of the interior.
 The railroad men, the producers snd consumers, the shippers and travellers are all ready and waiting to make life burden some to the new commissioners, and con- tribute to the activity of the opening sea- son in Washington. With the mainte- nance of another large bureau, and the keeping of 8 small army of lawyers and railroad men, aggrieved shippers, etc., in the city, there is every prospect that the coming summer will be 8 more active one here than we have had for many years.